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Hiking below the main drop of Wahkeena Falls, which can be viewed on a 5.4 mile loop hike that begins and ends at Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.(Photo11: Zach Urness / Statesman Journal)Buy Photo

Many Forest Service and state park trails and sites remain closed with no timeline for reopening. That includes famous hikes such as Eagle Creek Trail, Elowah Falls and Wahclella Falls.

The off-trail hike up Oneonta Gorge also remains closed.

“It’s thrilling to be able to reconnect visitors with these much loved waterfalls and trails, which were hard hit by the fire," said Lynn Burditt, area manager for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

"Many dedicated people from throughout the region provided sweat equity or donations to our partners, who helped us bring about this day.”

Those who return to the Gorge will find many of their favorite places changed, but not lost, Pawlitz said.

Who helped make this happen?

Pacific Crest Trail Association and Trailkeepers of Oregon organized volunteer trail crews to repair and stabilize area trails, while Friends of the Columbia Gorge assisted with invasive species removal and visitor information, according to a news release.

National Forest Foundation and Oregon Kitchen Table provided financial support for trail repair, based on donations from the public. Funds donated at Multnomah Falls Lodge were also used to help underwrite costs of trail work.

“People care deeply about the Columbia Gorge. We received donations from people in 28 states and with that support we improved over 60 miles of hiking trails this year,” said Patrick Shannon with the National Forest Foundation.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for 11 years. He is the author of the book “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.